Broke and Broken

Have you ever noticed that when you decide to do something like to try to cut back on desserts someone brings a cake to the office or donuts?   Well, that is how I am feeling lately.  Derek and I made a decision to try to save more money.  We have always been good about saving.  In fact, we always pay ourselves first out of every paycheck by socking a certain amount from each pay check into savings.  We have certain rules on when we can actually touch our savings accounts.  Also, we are very tight about our credit.  I didn't even get a credit card until I was 26 and was "forced" to for a job I had at the time.  All that being said, we have made an effort to sock even more money into savings and to try to save money here and there.  Well, like all good plans life happened.

Let's start with the newest member of our family, Elvis.  I am starting to call him our million dollar dog.  There were the two trips to the vet totally over $500.00.  Then one morning he escaped his crate, I think I forgot to lock it all the way, and he made his way up to Payton's room where he chewed the cord to her monitor. You think I would be able to just get a replacement cord.  Nope.  So.... $90.00 later a new monitor arrived.  Also, I realize Payton is four, but we still use the monitor for two main reasons.  She has to have it turned on to the music when she goes to sleep, and in the mornings if she wakes up I use the talk back feature to let her know where I am in the house.  Therefore, the monitor is critical to actually getting her to sleep at night and communicating with her in the mornings.

Elvis has also prompted a carpet cleaning next week.  That's another $150.00 out the door.

Next up, is the fact that I washed Derek's work pants with a pen inside them.  Replacement pants have been ordered and already arrived.  Minus another $100.00 from our checking account.

Then there is the refrigerator door handle that is broke on Payton's drawer of food.  The refrigerator is just over two years old; however, it couldn't handle Payton's abuse of opening and closing twenty times a day.  I did actually purchase the warranty on the washer/dryer, but not the fridge.  Therefore, the service guy is coming this Saturday ($65.00 service fee) and is going to fix the problem.  Who knows how much it is going to cost us for him to either screw it back in or replace the handle.

My iPhone case broke about five days ago and finally bit the dust.  I went ahead and ordered a new iPhone cover when I ordered Payton's monitor to save on shipping cost.  My phone was literally without a cover for two days and guess what?  I dropped my phone and the screen shattered.  I think that is when I actually shed a tear from all the broken things in our house.  The good news is that I also purchased the iCare package or whatever, but it still cost me $50.00 to have them replace the screen.  I know that is better than having to get a new phone, but still.

To add insult to injury, Derek had to drive to Temple for work yesterday and got a speeding ticket.
Also, at the end of the month both the dogs are up for shots.  I am trying not to think about the final bill on that one.


So to make a long story short, Derek and I really haven't saved any more money like we have planned.  On the bright side of things, I guess we can start our new savings plan in October.